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An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by An image of Jain invitation scroll by

Unknown Artist

Title
Jain invitation scroll
Place of origin
Rajasthan → India
Cultural origin
probably Sirohi
Year
circa 1760
Media category
Painting
Materials used
gouache on prepared cotton, Sanskrit in black and red Devanagari script; seven painted scenes; green border with floral motif
Dimensions

822.0 x 29.0cm

Credit
Asian Collection Benefactors' Fund 2006
Accession number
285.2006
Location
Not on display
Further information

This impressive scroll painting is at once a lengthy letter of invitation and a promotional banner. Such scrolls were routinely sent by a community to invite Jain monks to spend the rainy season at their town or village. To attract the most distinguished holy men, the pictures advertised major attractions that a town had to offer and highlighted the pious nature of its community. This scroll from Sirohi, an important centre of Jainism even today, includes pictures of rulers and royal processions, scenes of worship at important shrines and illustrations of commerce at the town’s bazaars.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2006.

Exhibition history (2)

The coloured cosmos: Jain Painting 1450-1850 (2005), Sam Fogg Ltd., 02 Nov 2005–16 Nov 2005.

Intimate Encounters: Indian paintings from Australian collections, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 22 Feb 2007–04 May 2007.